Were those frames with starter strips?? Did you place a frame with full drawn out comb in the center of the supers?

Nice video, thanks for sharing.

Annette

Yes, I have almost no absconding issues catching swarms using foundationless frames. The drawn frame in the middle is just to provide a guide to help the bees draw their combs straight, the bees actually will adopt the box sooner without the drawn comb.

If your not able to catch up the queen (like I am), the secret to keeping swarms happy is NO PLASTIC in the hive, and then to move them at night fall and then not to bother them for a couple of 3 weeks.

Very good question Allen, 2 of the 3. The one I lost was the last little one hived in the video.

When I went back to pick them up later that evening I found one hive helter skelter with the lid removed and the bees gone, I think kids or a dog must have upset the hive. I suspect the bees joined one of the other swarm boxes but I don't know for sure it was dark.

Stupid mistake on my part I generally ratchet strap all my hives before I transport them and I should have done it before I left, still very much a rookie.

Other than that (knock on wood) I've only had 1 of 14 abscond so far this year and I think that was because I inadvertantly dumped 2 primary swarms that had combined into the same box.

Just for the record I think it's alway better to catch up the queen, I'm just lowsy at finding queens.